“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.”
- October 15, 1844 – August 25, 1900
- Born in Germany
- Philosopher, poet, and classical philologist
- With works such as “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” “Beyond Good and Evil,” and “The Genealogy of Morals,” he questioned traditional morality, religion, and truth, and had a major impact on modern philosophy.
Quote
“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche expresses his desire to convey profound ideas and truths in a concise and direct manner. He values brevity and clarity, aiming to distill complex concepts into compact expressions that are both powerful and efficient. Nietzsche sees this as a mark of intellectual strength, where the ability to compress a vast amount of thought into a few precise sentences is more impressive and impactful than verbose, lengthy explanations. For him, true wisdom lies not in the volume of words but in the depth and clarity of thought, capable of being expressed in just a few striking statements.
Historically, this quote reflects Nietzsche’s critique of traditional philosophy and literature, which he often found to be verbose and overly complicated. He believed that many philosophical works could be much more effective if they were less wordy and more focused on core ideas. Nietzsche’s philosophy itself is known for its brevity and pithiness, often packed with insights and profound thoughts in short, sharp bursts, which he viewed as a more honest and direct approach to conveying wisdom.
In modern contexts, this quote highlights the value of efficiency in communication, particularly in an age where attention spans are often short and information is abundant. It serves as a reminder that impactful ideas don’t need to be lengthy or complicated to be meaningful. Whether in writing, speeches, or even everyday conversation, Nietzsche encourages us to aim for conciseness and precision, focusing on the essence of what we wish to express rather than getting lost in excessive detail.
